Women in the UK spend on average £108m on maternity clothes every year. While fashion trends may change and evolve with the seasons, love of fashion itself stays strong – no matter what stage in life or shape you are in. While pregnancy is one of life’s greatest gifts, any mum-to-be can confirm that finding decent maternity clothing can be quite the complicated challenge. But just because your body is changing, doesn’t mean your love of fashion must too. For every soon-to-be-mother who wants to celebrate on the outside as well as on the inside, the following stylish and flattering options are absolute must-haves for your closet.
Dresses for every occasion
Long gone are the days when maternity wear was limited to loose shapeless clothing that seemed intent on hiding your blossoming bundle of joy. Now you can show off your figure and baby bump in style with beautiful and form-fitting dresses meant to work with your new body shape rather than hide it. Stunning formal and casual dresses are a part of any forward-thinking clothing company’s maternity attire, and the options are endless. And if you prefer a more comfortable alternative, long and flowing dresses are a great option that win over their baggy counterparts of yesteryear any day.
Stylish sportswear for active mums-to-be
Expecting mums are still active mums – and it’s is even healthier in the long-run to remain physically fit while pregnant. And although sportswear is casual by nature, you can still look stylish and fashionable when going for a power walk, doing yoga, or going to the gym. To complement your baby bump, you can utilize flowing tank tops with built-in sports bras for some extra comfort–and fewer layers. Many come with intricate back strap designs so you can definitely up your sportswear game – just make sure that the material is breathable and light. While leggings may seem like a thing of your pre-pregnancy past, maternity-specific high-waisted leggings look and feel great, and you can rest assured knowing they will stay in place as you attempt the downward dog.
Professional attire for expectant mothers in the working world
With other 50,000 pregnant women in the UK workforce every year, professional and stylish maternity clothes are also a must-have for your closet. Luckily there are many great options to choose from that will keep you feeling both confident and comfortable. You can wear one of your new form-fitting dresses and workplace-proof it by simply adding on a blazer or a cardigan. Silky and flowy blouses are never out of style and every expecting working woman should add a couple of these timeless classics to her formal work attire. Plus, the light and soft material will keep you cool as a cucumber. While the sound of elastic or stretch waistbands may conjure up unflattering images in your head, the reality is that there are so many business pants and jeans now available that make the extra material as discreet as possible. The result? Comfort and a smoother all-around appearance.
While it may initially seem that a budding pregnancy means putting style in the backseat, new and improved maternity wear proves that is not the case. With beautiful options to choose from in the formal, business and casual clothing spheres, you’ll be strutting your stuff like the true fashionista you are in no time.